DE
—
EN
—
IT
The bark beetle poses one of the greatest challenges to our protective forests. Climate change, with rising temperatures, longer dry periods, and more frequent extreme weather events, weakens trees and promotes the rapid spread of this pest. Early and innovative measures are needed to protect mountain forests in the long term.
The project "#08/4 Sniffer Dogs Anco and Dyson" continues the successful work of sniffer dogs in Graubünden. The project is part of a larger project being implemented in collaboration with other project partners such as Selva, the canton of Graubünden, and the municipalities of Scuol and Bregaglia. The Graubünden Sniffer Dogs Association consists of dedicated foresters and dog handlers who are committed to the early detection and containment of bark beetle infestations. The two specially trained bark beetle detection dogs, Anco and Dyson, support the forestry service in the early detection of infestation and complement the work of the already trained dogs of the Spürhunde Graubünden association. Thanks to their exceptional tracking abilities, infested trees can be identified long before visible damage occurs, and more quickly and reliably than with conventional methods.
Comprehensive and intensive bark beetle monitoring ties up considerable human and time resources in forestry operations. Sniffer dogs offer an effective supplement here. As part of this project, Anco and Dyson are being trained to detect three different aggregation pheromones produced by bark beetles. These scents enable the dogs to accurately identify even the earliest signs of infestation.
In addition to basic training, the project includes extensive practical tests and regular maintenance and advanced training, mainly in the summer of 2026. Only through continuous training and real-life operations can the dogs' performance remain at a high level in the long term, and their potential applications be better assessed. The aim is to provide forestry services with a reliable, tried-and-tested tool for preventing and controlling bark beetles.
Early detection of the pest makes a decisive contribution to preserving the protective forest in the mountain regions of Graubünden and thus to protecting people, infrastructure, biodiversity, and the potential for sustainable timber use.
The project "Bark beetle detection dogs Anco and Dyson #08/4" has been successfully implemented and approved. Anco and Dyson have learned to accurately detect aggregation pheromones in a training setting. Their skills are now so well developed that they will be deployed in the field next summer. They were able to impressively demonstrate their talent at public demonstrations. This was particularly evident at the Laudinella Group's open house, where the two detection dogs showcased their skills and attracted great interest from visitors.
The Pignaverde Foundation and the Graubünden Bark Beetle Detection Dog Association would like to express their sincere thanks to the Laudinella Group for sponsoring the project and providing valuable support for this important contribution to sustainable forest protection.
